The Liddell Family | Preparing to Serve in The Balkans

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He Who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.” Hebrew 10:23-24

In June, we moved out of our house and left for Idaho, visiting several churches there in July and enjoying sweet fellowship with individuals. Then we headed east and were encouraged by our time at the yearly meeting sessions for Evangelical Friends Church-Eastern Region. As we were driving east for those sessions, our house went on the market, we accepted an offer, and we are now under contract. The next few weeks will be spent visiting seven churches and several loved ones around the East Coast. It is easy to get caught up in the busy, but we opened with this passage and close our presentations with it for a reason.

First, we pray this for each church and person we visit; that you would both hold fast and hold out your confession of hope without wavering, holding to and introducing your neighbors to the faithful one who promised. Known locally for the way you love and the way you live out that love.

Second, we need that prayer. As we visit churches and as we go to the Balkans, we want to live this. Local pastors and missionaries reported that many workers come into this region and leave within two years due to discouragement, but that doors of opportunity open if you stay past that point. We need prayer to hold fast to our confession of hope, holding out the faithful one, living love.

But most of all, we pray this for the people in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro, that they will gain a confession of hope and will hold it fast, that they will know the faithful one who promised. That a place known for bloodshed and deep ethnic hatred will be known for the way its people love one another.

“And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love, yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.” May this be true in our churches, here and around the world!

Praise God… In the chaos of moving, I (Jonelle) was feeling quite stressed. Driving a load of stuff somewhere, we passed a field and Alex got excited and insistent until I looked, “Look, Mommy, it’s soft green grass in a meadow by a little stream! Just like Jesus gives! He makes our hearts quiet!” He was referencing a children’s version of Psalm 23 and has applied it a few times, in a few places. Praise God that this little disciple is seeing God’s gifts around him. For the body of Christ with which we have been privileged to fellowship. They are not just loving us well, but we are getting glimpses of the ways that God is using each local body to shine where they are and make his name great. It is a delight to see! For two potential teammates, who are praying about their role in the Balkans and are taking steps to go! Please Pray… We are driving hundreds of miles around the East Coast, then back to San Diego, where we will base with Fred’s parents, then to Colorado for a month of training, then back to San Diego. Pray for safety on the road. For those potential teammates as they continue to discern God’s leading. And if God does continue to lead them to this field, pray for unity as a team. “Jesus, I miss (grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, friends, my house, my cats). I’m sad. Jesus, you stay with me?” We are hearing that prayer regularly from the backseat, as Alex processes goodbyes. Usually followed by “mommy, I prayed, and Jesus is with me, now I’m happy!” Please pray with us, as our kids navigate this season of change and goodbyes, that even when they aren’t happy, they will know Jesus is with them. May we all be so quick to cast our burdens on the Lord.

Download this month’s prayer letter here…